Gumprecht and Osman re-sign for season four assaultWednesday, 9 July 2008
The Central Coast Mariners playing stocks for the forthcoming Hyundai A-League season were today boosted by the re-signings of foundation squad members Andre Gumprecht and Matthew Osman, with both signing on with the yellow and navy for one year.
Gumprecht and Osman have each contributed significantly to the Mariners history to date, with Gumprecht registering 69 competitive appearances and four goals in Mariners colours over three seasons, while Osman has made 52 appearances and netted three goals.
Gumprecht has been a cornerstone member of the Mariners success since their inception making an appearance in each of the Mariners marquee fixtures over the years including the 2006 and 2008 Hyundai A-League Grand Finals, the 2005 and 2006 Pre-Season Cup showpieces and the final of 2005s Club World Championship qualifying series.
Osman loomed as one of the Mariners key figures of season three before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear in training last October an injury that would ultimately sideline the former youth international until as recently as one month ago.
Having recovered fully from this major setback, Osman has begun contributing to the Mariners pre-season trial match program and is soon expected to be capable of completing ninety minutes.
"Were delighted to have been able to secure Andre and Matthew, two proven performers in the Hyundai A-League, for our 2008/09 campaign," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"Each have shown enough quality in previous seasons to warrant their chance to prove themselves in Mariners colours in season four and with Andre and Matthews confirmed inclusions, we have taken a significant step in ensuring that our line up for the new season is capable of emulating and surpassing the feats of our last campaign."
Gumprecht, born in Jena in Germanys central east, ensures a continental flavour will remain with the Mariners 2008/09 line up.
With extensive European experience, which includes stints at Bundesliga heavyweights Bayer Leverkusen and US Lecce of Italys Serie A, Gumprecht brings a cosmopolitan shine to the Mariners squad to couple with his rock star like following at Bluetongue Stadium.
"There was some deliberation regarding my future at the Mariners throughout the off-season, but it has always been my number one preference to stay on the Central Coast and play for the Mariners club, the coaching staff, my team-mates and for the Members and supporters at Bluetongue Stadium," said Gumprecht.
"I have been in open and honest dialogue with Lawrie McKinna for quite some time now and Im delighted that we are both on the same page and that we have come to an agreement that will see me represent the Mariners for the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season."
24-year-old Osman arrived on the Central Coast from the NSW Premier League, where he had enjoyed a short stay at Penrith Nepean United during the downtime between the last ever National Soccer League (NSL) season and the inception of the Hyundai A-League.
In the NSL, Osman had been a bit part contributor to the Northern Spirits final two campaigns, during which time he made several appearances for the Qantas Young Socceroos (Under 20s) during their quest for qualification for the 2003 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
"The last year was obviously a frustrating one for myself given the problems with my knee, but that is all behind me now and Im very happy to have signed on for the forthcoming season," said Osman.
"Ive been at the Mariners for four seasons now and Ive never seen the atmosphere at training so positive and eager to commence a new campaign and Im no different I cant wait to get started."
With Gumprecht and Osmans re-signings, the Mariners now have 18 contracted players for the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season, including new recruits Adrian Caceres, David DApuzzo, Ahmad Elrich and Dylan Macallister.
wow massive surprise, but probably wont be playing much game time for the mariners, only for the youth team i would expect
